Breakdown of Wie du weißt, braucht das Archiv diese Sammlung.
du
you (informal singular)
brauchen
to need
wie
how
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
wissen
to know (a fact)
das Archiv
the archive
die Sammlung
the collection
Questions & Answers about Wie du weißt, braucht das Archiv diese Sammlung.
Why does wie translate to "as" here instead of "how"?
In this sentence, wie is used as a subordinating conjunction to refer to a shared fact or something previously stated. Instead of asking a question, it means "as" or "in the way that." Phrases like wie du weißt (as you know) or wie ich gesagt habe (as I said) are very common ways to use it.
Why is the verb braucht right after the comma? Shouldn't it be das Archiv braucht?
This is the classic German verb-second rule at work. The entire phrase Wie du weißt counts as the first block of information (position 1). Therefore, the verb of the main clause (braucht) must take position 2, immediately followed by the subject (das Archiv).
If "as" can mean "because" in English, could I use da or weil in this German sentence?
No, that would completely change the meaning! In English, "as" is tricky because it can mean both "in the way that" and "because." In German, da or weil strictly mean "because." If you said Da du weißt, it would mean "Because you know it, the archive needs this collection," which sounds strange. Always use wie when referring to shared knowledge.
What case is diese Sammlung and how can I tell?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object receiving the action of the verb brauchen (to need). You can tell because Sammlung is a feminine noun, and the demonstrative word dies- takes the feminine accusative ending -e, becoming diese.
Learn Wie du weißt, braucht das Archiv diese Sammlung and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free